Celtic supporters have heard this before, but Chris Sutton has chosen to say it anyway.
The debate around simulation in football is not new. What stands out this time is how directly it has been addressed.
Sutton did not soften his words. He did not dress up the ‘diving’ issue in football with analysis or balance.
Instead, the Celtic hero made a point that cuts straight through the usual noise. And he made sure it landed.
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Chris Sutton’s language cuts through the noise around Celtic debate
Chris Sutton said, “Oh, I tell you what, Rob, I mean, this week it was arrogant from [Kwame] Ampadu to go down like that, trying to con the referee, cunning from Kunha.
“Do you know who’s won this week’s Simulation Game? It wasn’t very sporting from Sporting. Araujo and Catamou went down too easily.
“I mean, Porto 2003 UEFA Cup final against Celtic, cheated their way to the final win, Rob, and Sporting. Come on, you’re better than that, Sporting. Be sporting. Just play fair. Don’t go down too easily.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from in Europe or around the world. We will call them out, Rob.”
There is no ambiguity in that. Words like “con the referee” and “cheated” are not open to interpretation.
Sutton is not hinting at a problem. He is calling it out and using Celtic’s UEFA Cup final experience in 2003 against Porto further hammers home his point.
Celtic history shows why Sutton’s point still matters today
The reference to 2003 is not incidental. It brings the conversation back to a moment that still holds weight.
Celtic lost 3-2 to Porto after extra time in Seville, a result that lives painfully in the memory of Sutton and the Hoops support.
Porto won the competition, but the nature of that final has never fully faded from discussion among Celtic supporters.
Sutton’s point does not rely on rewriting that result. It focuses on behaviour that he believes influences results.
By linking past and present, Sutton hammers home that simulation is not acceptable, regardless of where it appears.
Sutton is not trying to balance the argument. He is choosing to state it plainly, and that is exactly why it resonates.
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